Author: poet31

I am a happily married mother of two boys, one four year old and one ten month old and I teach part time, on supply. At the end of last year I started writing poetry and I want to share my journey with you via a blog. I hope to include some poems in this blog, as well as my thoughts and inspirations.

My challenge yesterday was to write a poem about Meopham Green in years gone by but the big challenge with this one was that I was going back further than my living years. Therefore, it was important to get it right. I saw some lovely photographs in the book I borrowed from my mum, Meopham Historical Society’s Meopham Changing Places. In this book, there was some really interesting information, more than enough to compose a poem about Meopham Green’s history. Yesterday when I tried, I was actually quite unsuccessful in making it all flow, so I left it for the night and this morning, I started again and this is what I came up with:

If I had a time machineGuess where I’d goI’d visit the Meopham GreenFrom many years agoThere were several shopsYou could buy bread and meatOr visit the tea roomFor a cuppa and something sweetYou could watch a game of cricketBeing played on the greenOr relax on the grassAnd admire a beautiful sceneAn ancient windmill, standing proudTowers above it allAnd in the pub along the roadA nice fresh pint might callYou might even see the horse busThat takes you into townBut I’d stay right there and enjoy the viewThat’s the jewel in Meopham’s crown

Jen Elvy

I don’t specify the exact year I travel back to because I want people to travel back in their memories to the Green they used to know. They would certainly see the windmill and a few more shops lining the green and would almost certainly see a cricket match taking place and, as suggested, If they choose to go back to the beginning of the twentieth century, they can see the horse and cart that served as a bus into town. Meopham Green today is just as idyllic as it was back then, just boasting fewer shops and more private housing. It is still a beautiful scene all year round and a defining feature of the village.

A postcard from the Tony Larkin Collection Found on discovergravesham.co.uk

Last night, I did have to leave this poem for a while but I had every intention of coming back to it. I just find a little break from a poem that is not coming easily often helps you gain new perspective when you come back to it. And fortunately for me it worked!

However in the meantime, I decided to revisit my own memories of the village.

Camer Park – a constant in my life. It has always been there. As a child I played, as a teenager, I took walks with my friends, or alone, and as an adult I returned a few times until finally it was time to let my own children see it’s magic. There have been quite a few changes over the years and there are a few poems I could probably write about my many memories but this poem revisits my childhood:

Camer Park

An idyllic green spaceI have always adoredSo much to doMany places to exploreThe play area used to beUp by the woodsCould I make it that far?Of course I couldOn the way up was a little treeI used to call my denSomewhat messier nowThan it was back thenAs we approachedThe swings and the slideThe anticipationWould build up insideA wonderful timeI’d spend in this spaceThe widest grinUpon my faceIn the woodsI’d run down the craterAn image that would giveMy mum nightmares laterI’d collect sticksAnd have such funThen back up the craterI would runWe’d head homeSuitably tired outThat’s what childhoodIs all about

Jen Elvy

This poem came so much easier, and flowed so much more. I find it such a joy to share my childhood memories and whilst “in the zone” this just came to me. Very short lines but hopefully very effective. If you knew the Camer I knew, perhaps you can picture it now? Again, I have no photographs but can see it quite clearly. The little den, the swings, the slide. I’d play for ages! Camer has something for everyone and to this day it attracts people of all ages.

Camer Park – Photographs don’t often do this place justice but here is a pretty one!

I hope you have enjoyed the poems I’ve shared today. I will be back with more soon.

Thanks for reading,

Jen xx

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A couple of my recent poems for you today, both with a sad theme. The first marks the fourteenth anniversary of my Dad’s passing. I always wanted to mark this day in my own way. I never felt the need to visit his memorial plaque and I’m not much of a candle person, so now I write poetry it really feels like the right way to mark the occoasion.

There are so many things I’d share with him if he were here today and this poem highlights my sadness that another year has passed without him:

Another Year

Another year where I call your nameBut you won’t be able to answerAnother year where I see your face and hear your voiceBut only in my heartAnother year with so much to tell you,Buy you can’t be hear to listenAnother year with so many questionsAnd no answersAnother year wanting to feel normalBut feeling so very sadAnother year without you in my lifeBut you are in my heart always

Jen Elvy

I hope this poem speaks to you if you have lost someone close. It is very hard knowing that you can’t share with them the things that you want to and that so much goes unanswered. And anniversaries are very hard. My advice is mark them in the way that feels right for you.

My second poem is about my struggles with finding a permanent job. At the moment I’m a supply teacher and that brings it’s own rewards and it’s flexible. But finances dictate that I must find something permanent soon. Yet interviews are so hard. I so want employers to see the best side of me but I get nervous and don’t come across as confident and then they end up employing someone else. And I don’t resent that. I just wish that sometimes they would look beyond the nerves and see a bit of the real me. These people have our future in their hands. They are the gatekeepers to a better, more comfortable life. And so my message is this:

The Gatekeeper

Always at the doorAlways saying noAlways there with negativityWhen I’ve got no place to goAlways choosing facesThat fit the bill the mostAnd seemingly preferring thoseWho have the ability to boastLook a little harderFurther than the restYou may see someone thatCould well be the bestRemember on the other sideOf your important dayIs just a humble someoneWho is trying to pay their way

Jen Elvy

Thanks for taking the time to read and, as usual all feedback and thoughts are welcome.

Jen xx

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Encouraged by the last Meopham poem I wrote, I decided to write another one. A fellow blogger who I very much respect suggested that there was a potential series of poems there and I definitely want to build up my nostalgia poem collection.

The poem today is about one of my favourite parks I used to visit as a child, Judson’s Recreation Ground, named after local businessman, Frank Judson, who donated the land in 1949. It was known simply to me as “The Rec.” Looking back I am surprised that we don’t have any photos of the park considering we visited so frequently. We don’t actually have a lot of photographs of any of us taken at the park. I guess not a lot of people carried cameras back then. Plus, like my own children, I doubt very much if we stood still for long. I actually have quite a few pictures and videos of my boys at various playgrounds. Great inventions, smart phones!

However I can picture it so clearly in my mind and I was pleased when my husband said that the following poem built a picture of the park in his mind. I hope it does the same for you too: (and if anyone happens to have any photographs of Judson’s Recreation Ground in the 80s, please feel free to share)

Ode to the Rec

I used to love “the Rec” as a childI’d play for ages running free and wildAlthough no photos I can findI can see it so clearly in my mindMy mum never once would complainAs I went on the slide again and againThose blue steps and the metal slideWould bring to my face a grin so wideThe climbing frame in the shape of a domeWould send me to a world of my very ownThe wooden roundabout was so much funTo make it go fast you’d have to runOnce there were two tunnels but they went awayIt would’ve been great for them to stayA small grassy hill provided much joyWhether you were a girl or a boyAnd when your legs needed a restA push on the swing was just the bestThe equipment has changed, but the park has stayedFor a new generation, more memories to be made

Jen Elvy

Hope you enjoyed it. Would love to know what you think. More poems to share soon,

Jen xx

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I’ve been really into my history and nostalgia lately and I’ve been thinking a lot about the village in which I grew up – Meopham in Kent. Meopham is a large village boasting lots of lushious greenery and a windmill, among other things. I have been reading about the history of the village and I hope to continue my research. I love, in particularly, reading about people’s personal memories. I thought I’d have a go at writing a poem about my own memories of growing up in Meopham.

But where to begin? I lived there for 22 years. I still live nearby with my hubby and the boys so we’ve made many memories as a family, visiting my mum, visiting the windmill with our eldest and the library to name but a few.

My focus for this poem though, is my childhood. I have so much more to say so hopefully there will be many more poems on this subject but here is my first poem about growing up in Meopham:

I spent my younger years in MeophamI went to the primary schoolThe infant School was down the roadThe juniors had a poolWe used to walk up to the windmillAnd buy sweets from the shopOr walk to the post office on The StreetAnd buy some panda popI’d often be found at Camer ParkPlaying on a logOr walking around the fields behind the churchWith my mum and our little dogWe lived right by the churchWe could clearly hear the bells ringOn a summers evening, in the warm airThey really seemed to singI loved my years in MeophamI’m glad I still live nearThe sights and the sounds of my childhoodI will always hold so dear

Jen Elvy

As I said, this is just the start of my memories. There are so many more but I’m so pleased with the outcome and really want to write more poems about my memories and history. I posted this poem on a local facebook page and got an overwhelming response. I loved that I made people reflect on their own memories of the village and so if you are reading this, thank you so much for your lovely responses.

My Dad loved living in Meopham and so I like to think he would enjoy reading this if he were here today.

Thank you for reading,

Jen xx

Just to give you an idea of the beautiful village in which I grew up, here is a picture of Meopham Green, taken from Wikipedia:

And if you’d like to read more about Meopham and it’s history, here is a link to the Wikipedia page:

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Another great long gap between posts! Can only blame a busy work schedule and a whizzing mind that wouldn’t slow down to a poetry writing sort of speed. Yes it’s true! I know I’ve often said you can write poetry when you are in a less than positive head space but I just haven’t quite been in the frame of mind, and if that’s ignoring my own advice then I’m sorry!

But I’m back now and I have a few poems to share with you. The first of which is one I wrote recently when I fired up my old laptop from 10 years ago. This laptop is mostly retired now bit comes out now and again. It was given as a gift form my husband, who was then my boyfriend. This poem tells the story:

There was a Christmas not so long ago,

Where the ground was green with no sign of snow

When my man gave a gift from the kindness of his heart

So much generosity I don’t know where to start.

Perhaps I should start with a few months before

When at work he had laptops displayed by the door

I looked at one, I wanted one, but it couldn’t be

We already had two computers, why should I need three?

But a laptop I wanted, that much was true

Dan said “wait til New Year, we’ll see what we can do,”

That was enough to put me off track,

But little did I know what he’d planned behind my back

So when he’d bought me my special surprise

It was well and truly hidden from my prying eyes

He dropped lots of hints, none of which I got

And probably half of them I soon forgot .

So that Christmas Day I couldn’t believe my eyes

He’d bought me a pink laptop as a surprise!

I was slightly confused at the first look

When on the box, it said “notebook”

But I was delighted with my new toy

For three years it was my pride and joy

Until it started being really slow

Technology moves on as we all know

But it will always hold a special place in my heart

My first laptop and I will never part.

Jen Elvy

And so I was overwhelmed with Dan’s generosity as I still am to this day. I didn’t need a laptop but as a wannabe writer I lusted after one so it meant a lot that Dan put my happiness first. He always has been thoughtful and generous xxx

Now we turn to our youngest son and a poem I wrote a month or so back just before he was due to have his two year check:

Time goes so fast

And I’m thinking how the heck

Is it time already

For your two year check?

You’re quite different from your brother

That much is plain to see

While he’s a lot like his daddy

You seem to take after me

You don’t have many words yet

But you’re doing okay

If you’re anything like your mummy

Then soon you’ll have too much to say!

We filled in a questionnaire

About the things you can do

It seems that they expect you to be

A genius at two!

Yet children are so different

They do things in their own time

There isn’t a formula to it

No reason or no rhyme

You make us laugh everyday

With all the funny things you do

So no matter what they say today

Remember we’re proud of you

Jen Elvy

Now I come at the two year check from two angles. As a professional and as a mummy. I know that it is their duty to check the milestones to check for serious developmental issues etc but with the whole questionnaire thing it does seem like another attempt to institutionalise very young children who are all very individual in their character and development. I’m a great believer in stages rather than ages. Toddlers have not read the books. They don’t know when they should walk or talk or be able to sleep through the night. We are very proud of our younger so. He has not been as verbal as our oldest very quickly became at two, but he is progressing and will get there. I am considering writing a little diary or blog about his journey towards being verbal for any parents going through the same thing. Let me know if you’d be interested in reading such a blog. Would be great to have feedback.

And now to our oldest. Our little boy who turned 6 on Saturday. Here is his poem:

My darling little first born

Today you’re six years old

You’ve grown to be so sweet

With a heart of pure gold

We will never forget the day

When we first met you

We can say without a doubt

You made our dreams come true

As a bubba you were giggly

And never unhappy for long

As long as you had cuddles

You couldn’t go far wrong

As a toddler you were cheeky

And flags were your big thing

And before you went to sleep

You liked Mummy to sing

As a preschooler you thrived

And started to make friends

And discovered that Star Wars toys

Are fun that never ends.

Now you are at school

Learning so much every day

And growing more independent

In every little way.

Each day you come home

With a picture you’ve created

It’s clear in the detail

That you have concentrated.

You’re growing so fast my darling

I wasn’t prepared for that

And often I find my mind wandering back

To the little baby in the pink hat

Jen Elvy

The poem tells you the story really, but I want to explain that when he was born we hadn’t yet given the doctors clothes for him and so our first memory of him was being handed this gorgeous little boy wrapped in a green blanket wearing a pink hat! We really wish we’d taken it home now! But that moment meeting him for the first time is one of those moments I’ll never forget. Xxx

That concludes today’s poetry round up but I will be back very soon, I promise!

Thanks for reading

Jen

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Long time no post! Life is hectic right now and I’ve been applying for jobs. Once again I want to say I feel the need to set aside an evening for poetry. It will be so much easier when I have a regular job with regular days.

Anyway, on to today’s topic. As you know, I am a keen user of Pinterest and as well as several Pins to inspire me for children’s poetry, I am also gathering quite a collection of pins for the colour, purple. I just love purple, It’s just one of those vibrant colours that has a psychological effect immediately. My purple pictures are inspiring. They calm my mind. So I thought it was time to write a poem about purple. It’s harder than you think to write a poem about a colour. I found it hard as I had so many pics to choose from but I decided to talk about my experiences with purple.

Here is the poem, I hope you like:

Purple

I just love purple so muchIt puts my soul at easeTo imagine a purple skyAnd purple leaves on trees

I smile when I think ofThe purple on my wedding dayMy new husband’s silk tieThe flowers in my bouquet

My first brush with purpleWas when I was sixteen years oldWith a soft purple jumperTo warm me when I was cold

And purple nail varnishWhich I thought was really coolBut the teacher had words to say

When I wore it one day at schoolI’ve worn purple coatsAnd a flowing purple skirt tooBut I’ve never worn a purple dressThat’s something I’d love to do

I have a pair of purple tightsThat I have yet to wearI just need something to match themBut for now I just know they are there

I just love the colour purpleIt totally calms my mindI think it’s plain to seeThat more purple things I have to find

Jen Elvy

I had bad writers block half way through writing this and I wasn’t too happy with my first effort but after a rewrite of the final verses, I feel much better about it. It has given me such satisfaction to finally finish it as I think the fact that in my mind I knew it wasn’t quite done has stopped me producing much more poetry. I hope you can relate if you like the colour purple and if you have any colour poems I’d love to read them.

Thanks for stopping by,

Jen xx

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I wrote this poem some time ago and want to share it with you today. I have been a bit hesitant about publishing it as I have so many supportive people in my life and I don’t want it to sound like the poem is about them as it isn’t. It refers to the sniping on the public forums and those who openly judge choices that other parents make and maybe try and make them feel bad about those choices.

Today I give you

Us and Them

The us and them factorIs sadly nothing new

The mums who don’t workAnd the mums who do

The mums who, when weaningLike to spoon feed

The mums who feel that baby ledIs what babies need

The mums whose babies sleep throughThe mums whose babies don’t

The mums who”ll give their baby a dummyAnd the mums who won’t

The mums who give the bottleThe mums who give the breast

The mums who want to do it allThe mums who just want rest

Why does there have to beSuch a divide?

Why can’t we support each otherWhatever we decide?

It is inevitable that on many mattersWe will all hold different views

But we all want the best for our little onesWhichever path we choose

Jen Elvy

I was inspired to post this recently when I heard on social media of an actress who was shamed for having a date night with her hubby, despite the fact that she left the baby with close family. And I’ve seen some sniping on recent forums about choices connected with baby sleep. We all do what is best for our children and we all know our own children too. What works for one baby may not work for another and that often applies to children with the same parents too.

Here’s to supporting other parents and being there for them when they need guidance.